Michael Schumacher emerges from coma and is released from hospital

16/06/2014

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Formula One legend Michael Schumacher has emerged from his coma and has been released from hospital in Grenoble. The 45 year old German suffered serious and life-threatening head injuries when skiing in the Alps last December.

Reports suggest that he was moving at a speed of 60mph when he lost control and landed on his helmet. Doctors have stated that the only reason he was not killed instantly is because of that helmet which split in half upon impact.

Schumacher's management company released a statement this morning saying "Michael has left CHU Grenoble to continue his long phase of rehabilitation. He is not in a coma anymore. His family would like to explicitly thank all his treating doctors, nurses and therapists in Grenoble as well as the first aiders at the place of the accident, who did an excellent job in those first months".

The statement also went to lengths to thank all the fans that held vigils and supported Schumacher throughout his coma while asking for privacy as his recovery continues saying "The family also wishes to thank all the people who have sent Michael all the many good wishes to Michael. We are sure it helped him. For the future we ask for understanding that his further rehabilitation will take place away from the public eye".

Schumacher's recovery is incredible given the extent of his injuries. Back in January, another Formula 1 legend Niki Lauda, who knows exactly what it is like to have a close brush with death, was not hopeful for Schumacher saying "I pray to God that it will all end well, but sadly it doesn’t seem that way at the moment".